Shirt-ironing machine.



PATBNTED MAR. 19. 1901.

W. THURBER.

SHIRT IRONING-MAGHIE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 19, 1904.v

4 SHEBTS-SHEBT 1.

i .ww y I i l OQ Y jv". l L WZI/mlhwe/f PATBNTED MAR. 19,v 1907.

SHIRT IRONING MACHINE y s-sHEET 2 W. THURBER.

APPLIoATIoN FILED N ov.1a, 1904 Mgg f. @wu

No. 847,6221 PATENTED MAR. 19, 1907. W. THURBER. SHIRT IRONING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION F'ILED NOV. 19, 1904.

rHE NQRRIs Permis co.. wasnmcfau, D. c,

` l PATENTED MAR. 19,1907.

' W. THURBPRl SHIRT IRONING MACCHINE. GATION FI Ep NOV. 19, 1904.

narran sirnrns WILLIAM THUR-BER, OF CHICAGO,

PATENT carros'.

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO SINCLAIR TION OF ILLINOIS.

SHlFT-IRONING; IVIACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 19, 1907.

Application filed November 19, 1904. Serial No. 233,434.

T0 aJ// ill/"wm it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM THURBER, a citizen of the United States, ofChicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have inventedcertainV new anduseful Improvements in Shirt-Ironing Machines and I dohereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription thereo reference being had to the accompanying drawings, andto the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

This invention relates to machines for ironing garments, such asshirt-bosoms, of that kind embracing a rotative ironing-roll and areciprocating ironingboard which travels thereunder for carrying thegarment beneath the ironing-roller.

One of the features of improvement embraced in the machine herein showncomprises a straight reciprocating ironing or bosom board (a'termhereinafter employed to designate the composite structure over which thegarment is drawn and on which it is ironed or pressed) whichreciprocates in a straight path beneath the pressing-roll and which whenin its retracted position is adapted to be tilted into a downwardly andoutwardly inclined position, whereby the operator may more convenientlyplace the garment to be ironed upon the board and adjust it or remove ittherefrom without liability of injuring the hands by the contact withthe heated roller and with great ease and facility.

Another feature of the invention consists in the construction andarrangement of the clamping devices by which the garments are held inengagement with the forward end of the ironin g-board.

A still further feature of the invention comprises the construction ofthe support for the ironing-board, which permits the parts of thegarment not to be ironed on the machine to be properly placed so as notto be in the way of the operator and which also permits properadjustment of the garment on the board.

The invention relates, further, to other novel features of constructionand arrangement hereinafter to be described.

In the drawings my invention is illustrated in connection with one formof machines with which it coperates; but it is to be understood that itmay be employed with other forms of machines, and the invention' iscapable of modifications wi thin the scope thereof, as will hereinaftermore fully appear.

In said drawings, Figure 1 illustrates in v plan view a typicalironing-machine, showing my invention thereto applied. Fig. 2 is asectional view taken upon line 2 2 of Fig. 1, with the ironing-board andreciprocating carriage by which it is supported shown .in full lines inlittle less than their full retracted position and in dotted linesshowing the carriage and ironing-board in readiness to apply a shirtthereto or remove it therefrom. Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of theinclined supports for the carriage. Fig. 4 is a top plan viewv of theironing-board-supporting carriage with the ironing-board removed and aportion of one of the side guards .broken away to show more clearly oneof the bearingtrunnions of the carriage. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view ofthe ironing-board. Fig. 6 is a transverse view of the ironing-board andcarriage and a portion of the machine-frame, taken upon line 6 6 of Fig.l looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 7 is an enlargedlongitudinal vertical sectional view of the ironing-board and itssupport. Fig. 8 is an enlarged inner end elevation of the ironing-board,showing the shoulder and neck-clamps. Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentaryelevation of the board, showing in full and in dotted lines the lockingand the retracted positions, respectively, of the shoulder-clamp.

In said drawings, A designates the frame of an ironing-machine providedon its upper sides with parallel guide-bars A, by which thereciprocating carriage C, constituting the support for the ironing-boardB, is guided in .its reciprocating movement beneath the heatedironing-roller A4. The carriage travels on supporting-rollers A2 and isadvanced and retracted upon said rollers A-' beneath the ironing orpressing roller by means of aroller A3, located verticallybeneath theironingroller A, said roller A3 and ironing-roller being reversed atproper intervals through the medium of the usual reversing mechanism(not shown) to effect the reversal of the .movement ofthe carriage andironing-board beneath the ironing-roller.

The -ironing-board B is supported o n the carriage by means of acast-metal frame 0r IOO los

undercut notches.

spider, (designated as a whole by C.) Said frame or spider comprises abase c', resting directly upon and fixed to the upper surface of thecarriage C, and an upper horizontal portion c2, on which the board issupported. Said upper and lower parts are Ijoined by a narrow web orneck portion c3. Said web is located intermediate the ends of the partc2, whereby both ends of the part c2 have an overhanging relation to theassociated parts, affording spaces beneath the same, (designated by thereference-letters C2 C2.) At the forward and rear ends of the upperportion c2 of said frame are provided lateral extensions c4 to affordample bearing for the ironingboard on the frame, and therefore givestability to said parts when the ironing-board is fastened in place.

Means are employed for detachably aHixing the ironing-board to the frameC, whereby the board may be readily exchanged for another of differentsize or shape. 'lhe detachable connection for this purpose is made asfollows: Projecting upwardly from a rearwardly-extending lug at theinner end of the part cZ of the frame C is a screw-stud e5, preferablyhaving a head beveled on its lower side. cG designates a screw whichextends upwardly through a similar lug at the outer end of said part c2.Said screw c6 extends below its lug and to its lower end is attached ahandle c7` rlhe head of the screw ci is adapted to engage an undercutnotch b2, F ig. '7, on the under face of the ironing-board, and theunder beveled head of the screw cG is adapted to engage a similarundercut notch b2 on the under face of said board. Recesses t are formedon the lower face of the ironingboard adjacent to the notches to permitthe heads of the studs c5 cG to properly engage the One-half or othersuificient portion of the Haring head of the stud c is cut away, leavinga straight vertical portion e8. When the board is to be fitted to theframe C, the head of the stud c5 enters the adjacent recess b in rear ofthe inclined socket of said recess. At this time the rotative screw-studc( is turned to direct the straight part of its head rearwardly, so thatwhen the outer end of the board is lowered, the head of the bolt passesfreely into its recess b in front of the inclined socket therein. Theironing-board is provided on its lower yface with transverse ribs l),which rest on the extensionparts c4 of said frame when the board issupported thereby. After the board has been placed on said frame withthe heads of the studs c5 cG in the recesses b thereof the screw-stud c6is turned so as to bring its inclined head (which constitute a cam)inengagement with the adjacent inclined notch, which has the effect offorcing the board inwardly to engage the flaring or inclined head ofthescrew-stud ci with its notch, and thereby press the board firmly inplace. The

screw-stud or clamp-bolt c is turned in this manner through the mediumof its handle c7. In order to remove the board, the clamping device isreleased by turning the screnestud cG in a reversed direction. lt willof course be understood that boards of different sizes and shapes willhave the sockets and recesses made identical, so as to be properlyengaged by the one set of clamping-stiuls.

The carriage is provided at its side margins with upwardly-llaringshields or guards c to prevent contact of the garment on the board withthe parts of the machine laterally outside of the carriage.

Referring now to the means for tilting the carriage and ironing-board atthe outer extremity of their movement, as indicated in dotted lines inFig. ".2, and holding said parts in such inclined position to permit agarment to be placed on or removed from said board, said means are madeas follows: Said carriage is provided. at the sides thereof and abovethe level of the guides A with laterallydirected bearing-trunnions C,which are adapted to engage, when the carriage is at the extreme limitof its outer movement, bearings on the machine-frame in such manner toenable the outer ends of the carriage and board to be tilted downwardlyand the inner ends thereof tilted upwardly. The bearings referred toconsist of two hooked-shaped parts having shanks a, located in positionto permit the trunnions C to pass thereon, as shown in Fig. 2, andhooked ends a', in which are formed sockets to receive said trunnions,Said sockets of the hooks c are d ownwa-rdly and outwardly inclined. Thetrunnions are oval in cross-section, the upper and lower faces beingsubstantially, parallel. lhe upper and lower inclined walls of thesockets ol` the hooks a are similarly inclined and receive with a closefit said trunnions when the carriage is moved to its outer extremity.When said carriage reaches the limit of its outer movement, theoverbalance of its outer end or a slight pressure thereon will force theearriage and parts carried thereby into the tilted position. Preferablyinclined supportingbrackets a? are provided beneath the level of thehooks and in. rear of the same to receive and support the carriage whenthe trunnions occupy the hooks a. Said brackets are shown as madeintegral with the hooks c. The presence of said bracket prevents theweight of the carriage and board from bringing undue torsional stressupon the hooks in a manner tending to break the same.

The inclined position of the board described permits the readyadjustment ol a garment to and. its removal from the board and withoutlikelihood of injuring the hands of the operator of the machine bycontact with the heated ironing-roller. When the machine is employed forironing mens shirts, the garment is drawn rearwardly over the IOOforward end of the board with the bosom thereof lying fiat on theironing-surface of the board. Suitable shoulder and neck clamps areemployed at the forward end of the board to clamp the shoulder and neckparts of the garment in place. The shirt is stretched to adjust thebosom to the ironingsurface by winding the skirt portion of the shirtaround an angular roller B7 at the rear end of the board and journaledin arms bs, directed rearwardly from said board. The space C2 beneaththe overhanging portion of the part c2 of the frame at the front end ofsaid frame is ladapted to receive the rear part of the skirt of a closedshirt or one which is not opened throughout its front. The base orfoundation of said ironing-board consists of a generally fiat metalplate B20, on which are formed the ribs b and the recesses and sockets bb2 and upon the upper face of which is built the partsl constituting theyielding ironing-surface. s

- The base-plate of the ironing-board is provided with a marginal rimb4, from which. projects short pins b5, which are adapted to engage andhold a piece of cloth B6, constitutling the ironing-,surface of thecomposite board. Surrounding the end and side margins of the board is aguard-frame B', herein shown as made of angle-bars. Said guard issupported in partially-overlapping relation on the margins of thevironing-surface and is held from endwise movement by means of bolts orstuds b? engaging inclined notches 6G in the forward ends of the sideparts of the said guard-frame. Sai-d guard-frame covers the pins b5 andprevents injury to the garment or tov the hands of the operator when thegarment is being drawn over lor removed from the board. The saidironing-surface cloth Be is drawn around" the forward or inner end ofthe board and attached to the pins b5, extending downwardly from theboard, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, and said pins are covered byguard-plates F, which are fastened to the lower face of the board in anysuitable manner. The said guard-'plates F are provided on their outerside margins with upwardly-directed flanges f, which extend upwardlybetween the-rear ends of the arms of the guard-frame B/ and the sides ofthe board, the horizontal parts of said guard-frame arms being recessedat f', Fig. 1, to receive said flanges. rlhe rear ends of the arms ofsaid guard-frame are closed, 'as indicated in Figs. 5 and 8. Theconstruction described avoids sharp projecting parts at the inner end ofthe board, the presence of which are objectionable.

The upper face of the base or foundation plate B20 is provided with alongitudinal depression B2, in which is placed a strip of yieldingmaterial, such as soft rubber B3, of such thickness as to project somedistance above the upper surface of the plate. Resting upon said uppersurface of the plate and on either side of the yielding strip B3 arewider sections of harder rubber B4 of such thickness that the uppersurfaces thereof are iiush with the upper surface of said strip B2.Overlying said strips or sections of rubber B3 B4 is a soft yieldinglayer B5 of some thickness and consistingI of cotton-flannel or likematerial.' Over said layer B5 is the cloth constituting the ironingsurface BG, the same being secured in place at its end and sides by thepins b5 referred to. The location of the central strip within thedepression B2 is favored for the reason that it is thereby held morefirmly in place. The side strips or sections B4 are also held in placeby engagement at their outer margins with the rims b* of the base-plateand the engagement of their inner side margins with the central .stripB3.

The neckband-clamping device D is attached to the board orits support insuch manner as to present no obstruction to the ready adjustment of ashirt to or its removal from the board. .lt may be further preliminarilystated that the shoulder-clamp is attached to the carriage C in suchmanner that when swung away from the board, as shown in dotted lines inFig. 9, it permits free access to the board. The forward or inner end ofthe ironing-board is provided with a deep central recess or space B8,adapted to receive the neckband of a shirt, and with sloping side partsB2, over which the shoulders of the shirt is adapted to lit. A clampingdevice D is employed to clamp the neck of the shirt to the recessed partof the board, and a clamping device is employed provided withlaterally-separated clamping members E, adapted to clamp the shirt tothe sloping shoulder parts of the board. Both of theshoulder-clampingmembers are herein shown locked and released by asingle lever, and while this is a convenient arrangement it is to beunderstood that my .invention is not limited to the structure shown.

The neck-clamp D is roughened upon its clamping-face, as indicated at d,Fig. 4, and is provided with two downwardly-extended arms d', each ofwhich is provided with a rearwardly-extending part d2, Figs. 4 and 7,the ends of which are provided with bearingnotches which engage ahorizontal pivot-pin d, extending between and mounted at its 4ends inforwardly-directed arms c2 of the board-supporting frame C. D is alocking and releasing lever having at its forward end a sleeve d5,mounted 'on said pin d4 between the rearward extensions d2 of the armsd. Spiral springs D2 are secured at their rear ends to the sleeve di andat their forward ends to hooks projecting inwardly from the lower endsofthe arms d', thus yieldingly uniting the arms and thereleasing-lever'and causing the proper tension to be given to the IOOIIO

wardly from the forward end margin of the with the curvature of thebottom of the ree, while permitting suflicient relative move .neck-clampD. It is convenient to use two of suchsprings, as shown. Projectingdownbase-plate B20 at the inner part of the recess B8 thereof is a lugD3, which is adapted to be engaged by an upwardly-directed lockingfinger or lug d6, formed, as herein shown, on the sleeve of theloclinglever D. The relation of the parts described is' such that whenthe locking-lever is in the position shown in Fig. 7 the parts arefirmly locked in position and the springs are exerting their tensionupon the clamping-,bar D, and when the lever D is moved downwardly thelug d is disengaged frointhe locking-shoulder D3, (permitted by reasonof a slotted connection of the pivot-pin d4 with the arms c, and theclamp-bar D may then be swung downwardly away from the recessed end ofthe board to permit a shirt to be removed l from or applied to theboard. The engagement of the lug d of the locking-lever with thecomplemental lug D3 of the base-plate holds said neck-clamping device inits clamping position, and the springs permit the parts to yield toaccommodate the device to neckbands of varying thickness. It will thusbe seen that the neckband-clamping device described is in a position notto obstruct the ready application of the shirt to or its removal fromthe ironing-board. The neckclamping bar D is in practice made eitherrelatively short or is curved to correspond cess B8 of theironing-board.

Next describing the shoulder-clamping device, said device is made asfollows: The clamping-bars E are roughened on their engaging faces andare horizontally oblique to fit the sloping shoulder portions of theironing-board. Said bars E are formed on the upper ends of arms e e,that are united by a connecting-bar e. The lower ends of the arms e arehinged to upright lugs e3 by means of bearing-studs e2, fixed in thelugs and bearing at their pointed inner ends in tapered sockets in thelateral faces of the lower ends of said arms. Such pivotal arrangementpermits the clamp-bars to swing toward and away from the sloping partsof the board. E2 designates a locking-lever which is located between theclamping-barcarrying arms e and provided near its lower end with asleeve 610 and is pivoted to the lower straight parallel portions of thearms e by means of trunnions er", which have bearing inrearwardly-opening notches e in said straight parallel portions of thearms e. Said locking-lever is provided at its lower end with an aperturee, adapted to receive a locking-lug E', located in rear of and betweenthe lugs e3, as shown in Figs. 7 and S. A spring E3 is employed to holdthe lockinglever pivots engaged with the bearing-notches t l l l l l l li i ment ol' the parts to allow the locking-lug E to readily en ter theopening ci of the lockinglever. The closed portion ol` said spring isengaged with an upwardly-extending stud v7 on the com'iecting-bar c,while the ends of said spring are hooked over the sleeve el of thelocking-lever. l.)referably the spring is formed on each side betweenits closed central part and i s ends with spirals to increase theresiliencyot the springs. Said spring permitsrela tivemovement ol" thelever and clamping-bar arms, so as to adapt the shoulderclamping deviceto garments of various thicknesses, while reliably clamping the garment.The spring also permits the apertured lower end of the locking-lever toslip over the loelv ing-lug E and holds said partis properly relatedafter such locking takes place. The said locking-lug is of undercutconstruction to hold the locking-lever properly engaged therewith untilintentionally released. A light spring is sul'lieient to hold said partsproperly locked, inasmuch as the pivotal stress of said lever is notbrought upon the spring. To remove the clamp members E from theshoulders B", the locking-lewr EZ is swung in the direction indicated bythe arrow in Fig. 9, thereby releasing said lever from the stud. Eagainst the action ol the spring E. Vhen the parts are so released, theentire device may be swung freely backwardly into the position shown indotted lines in Fig. tl. /Vhen the clamping device is to be again throwninto its clan'iping position, the spring E3 acts to hold the parts inproper relation, with the trunnions e engaged with the bearing-notches eand the movability otE said trunnions in said bearing-notches, combinedwith the spring Ei, permits the notched lower end of the locking-leverto snap in loching engagement with the stud E', whereby the parts arelocked in the clamping position.

twill be observed that the neclband and shoulder-clamping device possessgenerally similar features ol' construction and openttion in that thelockingelever of each has lost motion relative to the clamping memberand the parts are held yieldingly together by a spring or springs, and,further, that said lockingelever engages an undercut stationarylocking-lug, which holds the locking-lever in its l cking position, saidspring or springs permitting release of the lever from the locking-lugs.

The operation ofthe devices described is as follows: In order to place agarment on the ironing-board, the operator draws the carriage to theextremity of its rearward travel, whereupon its rear end tiltsdownwardly and its forward end upwardly in the manner before described.The ironing-board now in position to receive a garment to be pressed.The neckband and shoulder-clamps are swung out of engagement with theforward 'end of the board. A shirt or other garment which it is desiredtoiron or press may then be placed over the ironing-board, it beingdrawn rearwardly over the board from the front end thereof. The neckbandand shoulder-clamping devices are thereafter swung into their clampingposition in the manner described, and thereafter the shirt-bosom (if thegarment be a mans shirt) is stretched over the ironing-surface of theboard by engaging the skirt of the shirt with the angular roller Blandwinding the skirt thereon. The bosom of the shirt being now properlyTadjusted to the board, the latter and the carriage C are then swung ortilted into the horizontal position and forced forwardly under theironing-roller A4 and between the same and the lower roller A3. Theoperation of reciprocating the ironing-board and carriage beneath theironing or pressing roller is the same as in the ordinaryironing-machine now in common use. When the shirt-bosom has beensufficiently ironed, the carriage is drawn rearwardly and tilteddownwardly, the garment is released from the clamping devices and theroller B7, after which the arment is removed and another is adjuste tothe board.

The construction of the ironing -board per se is not claimed herein, butis made the subject of a separate application filed by me on the 6th dayof August, 1906, Serial No. 329,437, and which is a division of thisapplication. I I

While I have shown an approved form of mechanism in which my inventionis embodied, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to thestructural details shown and described except as hereinafter made thesubject of specific claims.

I claim as my invention- 1. In an ironing-machine, a reciprocatingironing-board having a straight, upwardlyfacing, ironing-surface, anironing-roller above the board, ways on the machine for guiding saidboard in its travel and coacting means movable with the board andstationary with the machine-frame, respectively, permitting the board tobe tilted downwardly about a pivotal aXis located between the ends ofthe board.

2. In an ironing-machine, a reciprocating ironing-board having -astraight, upwardlyfacing, ironing-surface, an ironing-roller above theboard, ways on the machine-frame for guiding said board in its travel,trunnions movable with the board and means engaged by the trunnions atthe outer limit of the movement of the board for tilting the outer endof the board downwardly` 3. In an ironing-machine, a reciprocatingironing-board, laterally-extending trunnions traveling with the board,ways on the machine guiding said board inits travel, and

sockets on the machine-frame located in the path of travel of saidtrunnions and adapted to receive the same and support said board in atilted or inclined position.

4. In an ironing-machine, a tilting, reciprocating ironing-board,laterally-extending trunnions traveling with the board, ways on themachine guiding said board in its travel,

and stationary hooks located at the end of the path of travel of saidtrunnions, said hooks being designed to receive the trunnions when theboard is tilted.

' 5. In an ironing-machine, a reciprocating ironing-board,laterally-extending trunnions traveling with the board and havinggenerally parallel upper and lower faces, ways on the machine guidingsaid board in its travel, and hooks located in the path of travel ofsaid trunnions and adapted to receive the same, said hooks havingparallel, inclined upper and lower surfaces adapted to engage theparallel upper and lower faces of said trunnions.

6. In an ironing-machine, a tilting, reciprocating ironing-board,laterally-extending trunnions traveling with the board, ways on themachine-frame guiding said board in its travel, said frame beingprovided with sockets located at the end of the path of the travel ofsaid trunnions and adapted to receive the same when the board is tilted,and stationary brackets or supporting-surfaces for holding the board inits tilted position.

7. In an ironing-machine, a til-ting reciprocating ironing-board,laterally-extending trunnions movable with the board, ways on themachine-frame guiding said board in its travel, stationary hooks locatedat the end of the path of travel of said trunnions and inclined withrespect to said ways, said hooks receiving said trunnions when saidboard is tilted and inclined supports or brackets rigid with said hooksfor holding the board rigidly in its inclined position.

8. In an ironing-machine, a reciprocating ironing-board having astraight, upwardlyfacing, ironing-surface, an ironing device thereover,ways on the machine for guiding said board in its travel, coacting meansmovable with the board and stationary with the machine-frame,respectively, permitting the board to be tilted downwardly about apivotal aXis located between the ends of the board, the forward end ofsaid ironing-board being arranged to overhang its support to providebeneath the board a space adapted to receive a portion of the garmentnot to be ironed.

9. In an ironing-machine, a reciprocating ironing-board, having astraight, upwardlyfacing, ironing-surface, an ironing device thereover,guides on the machine for guiding said board in its travel, meanswhereby said board may be tilted downwardly at the outer limit of itstravel about an axis located between the ends of the board, the forwardend of said board overhanging its support to IOO ISO

provide a forwardly-opening space between the board and support, and aclamping device coacting with the end of the board and mounted beneaththe forward end of the board and above said space, between which and theend of the board the garment is adapted to be clamped.

l0. In an ironing-machine, a reciprocating ironing-board, having astraight, upwardlyfacing, ironing surface, an ironing device thereover,guides on the machine for guiding` said board in its travel, meanswhereby said board may be tilted downwardly at the outer limit of itstravel about an axis located between the ends of the board, the forwardend of said board overhanging its support to provide a forwardly-openingspace between the l board and'support, a neckband-clamping devicecoacting with the forward end ol the board and mounted on theoverhanging part of the board above said space, and a shoulder-clampingdevice hinged to the support for the board and arrangedv to swing`toward and away from the `forward end of said board. In testimony that Iclaim the foregoing as my invention I aHiX in v signature, in presenceof witnesses, this 27th day of October, A. D. 1904.

WILLIAM THURBER. Witnesses:

HENRY I'I. Holm, CONRAD S'ronnwiNG, FRANK R. MEADOWER., Jr., F. H.VVILDMAN.

